Oven-baked salmon sounds — and tastes — fancy, but you won’t believe how easy it is to cook salmon in the oven. It’s one of the healthiest ways to cook this nutritious fish. Plus, making your main dish in the oven frees you up to do something else while the meal cooks.
(Netflix? Chill? Or make a delicious veggie side dish?)
There are just three steps to baking a salmon fillet, and it’ll take just 15 minutes. Best news: Cleanup is minimal, as long as you remember to line the baking dish or sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. (Don’t skip that step — trust us).
Grab your nonstick cooking spray, olive oil, salmon fillets (6 to 8 ounces per person), salt, and pepper, and you’re good to go.
1. Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan or baking dish with foil or parchment paper and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel.
2. Season
Drizzle salmon with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste (or any seasonings you like).
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes
Bake in the top half of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Start checking for doneness around the 10-minute mark. A thicker fillet (or multiple pieces) will need more time.
You’ll know it’s ready when the flesh flakes with a fork but is still translucent in the center. Better yet, use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in the center of the fillet. When it hits 125 degrees, transfer the fillet to a plate and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
4. Serve
Squeeze a wedge of lemon over the top right before you serve. If you have them, sprinkle with some chopped fresh herbs.
And bon appétit, you kitchen wiz. For a twist, try pan-searing your salmon on the stove next time.
